Janet Lunn spends some time crocheting in one of the many comfy spaces located in the Makers building. Lunn will be hosting Knitflix every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. where knitters, crocheters and other needle workers will be invited to catch a movie while being creative. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Artisans and crafters are encouraged to use products at Makers or bring their own to create unique items for personal use or to sell. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Ann Whalen demonstrated how to use a table top weaving loom to create hot pads and dishcloths. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Bunk Trinacty carefully holds his clay creation as it dries. He will be hosting a clay workshop in the near future at Makers. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Reflexologist Marilyn Roberts volunteered her time at Makers for the grand opening. Here, she's examining some of the goods that are available for purchase by local artists. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

From left, co-founder Kathy Monroe, chats with Richard Neily, Merle Kruck, Catherine Neily, and Nancy Barmore during the grand opening of Makers. Members will be encouraged to drop by the location to work on an art or craft project, read a book or simply socialize. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Co-founder Catherine Jamieson said the idea behind Makers — to connect like-minded people through art and social activities — is not a new one. It dates back centuries. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Summerville-based artists Kate Vasyliw and Roy Kohn will be hosting painting circles every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at Makers in Windsor. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Kate Vasyliw and Roy Kohn, of Summerville, are pleased to see a new space in Windsor in which artisans can come together and create. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Tacha Reed shows off the background she made for one of her wet felt pieces. She was one of several local artisans who provided demonstrations to visitors to Makers' grand opening April 28. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Members of Makers will be able to learn wet felting techniques from Tacha Reed if they attend fibre circle on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Rug hooking, weaving, crocheting and knitting can also be explored. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

The upstairs sewing and weaving area offers a bird's eye view of the Makers' retail space. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

These belts were made using inkle weaving. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

'Mind-blowing' space officially opens on Gerrish Street

WINDSOR, N.S. — The innovative minds behind Makers are hoping their social enterprise will capture the imagination of Hants County residents.

Makers is marketed as “a place where the community can make, learn, teach, tinker, gather, collaborate, share, innovate, socialize, build, create, buy and sell.”

It’s a venue that strongly encourages the sharing of skills.

Co-founders Catherine Jamieson and Kathy Monroe officially opened Makers April 28. There was a steady stream of visitors checking out the new venture.

“People sharing knowledge and exchanging knowledge-based information is a really unique type of human interaction and it's one of the few things that we have left in our world that's often done freely... because they're sharing their passion,” said Jamieson while people buzzed about the Makers space on Gerrish Street.

Although there is a membership fee involved, Jamieson said what the community gets in return far exceeds the cost.

“For me, this is a community endeavour that uses the arts or creativity as kind of a way back (to being social). It's the train we're riding in on but the idea is to create a social shift,” said Jamieson.

“People don't talk enough; they don't share information enough; they won't teach you anything unless you give them a few bucks. It's very transactional,” she added.

While paying for goods and services is the way of the world, Jamieson said it's nice to be able to go back to the basics and help one another again.

“It used to be you learned knitting from your grandma, now you pay someone $12 an hour to teach you. I think we need to get more back to learning from our grandmas and if we can't learn from our real grandmas, we should go to Makers and learn from someone else's grandma who is willing to teach,” said Jamieson.

“That's not to say knowledge doesn't have value and you shouldn't pay for it. It just means that it shouldn't be the sole reason why we pass it on.”

'Phenomenal' opportunity

Several community volunteers are already involved in Makers and are eager to see the non-profit thrive.

Artist Kate Vasyliw moved to Summerville from Ontario last September with her husband and fellow painter Ray Kohn. When they learned about Makers opening up, they knew they had to get involved.

“We were looking to find an arts organization to get involved in and when we heard about Makers we thought, 'that's fantastic.' To have something like this in Windsor is so phenomenal,” said Vasyliw.

The couple will be hosting Tuesday paint nights at Makers.

“I think it's an evening just to have some camaraderie and to meet other artists. So it's going to be a mixed bag,” said Vasyliw, who said all skill levels are welcome to attend.

Janet Lunn, who was sitting on one of the comfy couches crocheting during the grand opening, will be hosting Knitflix on Tuesday nights as well.

“So Knitflix, despite the name, doesn't always have to be knitting. I'm probably going to be crocheting,” said Lunn. “It's for anybody that has some small handicrafts... they come, watch a movie, and be social with some other handicrafters.”

Lunn said she received a fair bit of interest during the grand opening from members of the general public.

“I've had everything from teenagers to retirees sign up. I think it's going to be interesting seeing the demographic of it,” said Lunn, noting Makers helps to transform generally solo activities into social ones.

Lunn describes Makers as 'mind-blowing.'

“It's amazing. The amount of talent here is beyond what I had any idea. I know I'm going to be taking some classes if I can and the volunteers have put in so many hours. This space is absolutely amazing,” said Lunn.

There's “just a little bit of something for everybody and I'm really looking forward to just having a place to socialize with other people who share the same interests in crafting.”

There will be a full schedule of regular activities for members — everything from game nights and book clubs to study groups, workshops, and demonstrations. There will also be special events, like book readings, wine tastings and live entertainment.

Members are permitted to use any available space, tools and in-house materials/supplies for self directed activities whenever they like.

Jamieson said Windsor is the perfect spot for the new venture and said most small towns could benefit from something similar.

“Small towns are very, very unique and you need very unique solutions for them,” said Jamieson, adding the construct wouldn't necessarily work in large urban areas like Halifax, Toronto, or Montreal.

Unlike traditional maker spaces, Makers doesn't solely focus on sharing tools and resources. It incorporates a more social aspect.

“I see this as the way that the future unfolds for small towns, small rural communities. We have to get back to town halls. We have to get back to having places where people can go just to go,” said Jamieson.

“We're kind of a little bit trying to be a jack of all trades and hopefully we won't end up being the master of none.”

Jamieson said she was “extremely gratified, humbled” by the outpouring of community support when Makers opened its doors.

She said now they need memberships in order to keep those doors open.

“This is a test of the community. It will either support it and it will stay or it won't and it will go. Hopefully the community is wise enough to understand the value of something like this,” she said.